Walking between Shandy Hall and Byland Abbey, I have photographed the landscape and details therein. The space has undoubtedly changed since Sterne made his walks to commune with Cordelia and his preoccupation with Eliza, but in it there remains something of the solitude and harshness that Sterne must have felt within and without his heavy heart and sentimental mind.

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The Zumpé piano is on loan from Temple Newsam House. Dated 1769 it is the second earliest example of this pre-cursor to the modern pianoforte in existence in the UK.

The frame for this square piano is probably original and is made of beech wood. It is not in working condition as the soundboard is split. It is displayed with the keyboard exposed but no attempt should be made to create sound. Bach performed on such an instrument in 1768.

Sterne will have bought his Zumpé piano (in 1767) from the workshop of Johannes Zumpé, of London.

The chair (also kindly on loan from Temple Newsam) is from the same period, is made of ash and is of ‘stick construction’.

Imagining Eliza’s Bookshelf (see page) is a collection of books that Eliza and Hester might have taken on board the Earl of Chatham for their lengthy sea voyage.

The portrait of Eliza Draper is a photographic reproduction of the original painting by Richard Cosway and is in a private collection. The chair in which Eliza is seated can be seen in the V & A in the British Collection and is identified as